Are you thinking about competitive swimming?  If you are looking to have your child start in a “pathway” to be part of a competitive swimming program – Are you in an advanced level of swim lessons? If the answer is “yes” you will need to begin in our WSY Pathway Programs which include Pre-Competitive Swimming (September and January), Stroke Clinics (April and May), and Ducks Summer League swimming (June and July). After a swimmer completes 2 or 3 steps in our pathway programs, they will be eligible to move to our WSY Competitive Team.

The WSY Take Your Mark participants will learn the fundamentals of competitive swimming through fun-filled drills in a positive atmosphere. This program is the first of a two-part program designed to slowly move swimmers from the pre-competitive level to the competitive levels. CLICK HERE to view our class skills outline.

This program is great for Summer league swimmers, Country Club swimmers, or children coming out of swim lessons. Our concentration will be on correct stroke form of all four (4) competitive strokes, as well as understanding how to use starting blocks. There are no swim meets.

Dates: September 12–December 14, 2025 (No class 11/28 or 11/30)

Schedule:

• Fridays 6:00-7:00pm
• Sundays 12:00-1:00pm
• Sundays 4:00-5:00pm

Prerequisites:

• Ability to swim one length of the pool (25 yards) on your stomach with rotary breathing
• Ability to swim one length of the pool (25 yards) on your back in a group setting

Ages: 4-14 years

Location: West Shore YMCA

This program is for swimmers who are interested in joining a swim team and have no competitive swim team experience. This is NOT a ‘learn to swim’ program but a starter swim team practice. Coaches will work on stroke development and the mechanics of swimming but will also introduce all the things that make a swim team practice different from swim lessons.

Prerequisites for this program include the ability to swim one length of the pool (25 yards) on your stomach with rotary breathing and one length of the pool on your back. Each class will be limited to 30 swimmers.

Dates:

• October 5-November 9, 2025
• February 8-March 15, 2026

Schedule: Sundays from 11:00-11:30am or 11:30am-12:00pm

Ages: 5-18 years

Location: Friendship YMCA

Our non-competitive swim team program is designed for swimmers that want to be active and involved in swimming and work on fitness and endurance during the winter months. This is ideal for summer swimmers that want to keep active, cross training with other sports, stroke improvement, trying out the sport of swimming, and staying active and fit. 

This is an advanced group where swimmers must know the four competitive swimming strokes, work independently away from caregivers, and work well in a group setting. 

Coaches will work with swimmers on all four competitive strokes and building endurance.  Swimmers will also be introduced to racing starts, turns, and streamlines.

This is NOT a learn to swim program.

Dates: 

• October 5-November 9, 2025
• February 8-March 15, 2026

Schedule: Sundays from 12:00-1:00pm

Ages: 5-18 years

Location: Friendship YMCA